Chaplain/Bereavement Coordinator

Position Summary

The Chaplain/Bereavement Coordinator is responsible for modeling the Compassus values of Compassion, Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork, and Innovation and for promoting the Compassus philosophy, using the 6 Pillars of Success as the foundation. S/he is responsible for upholding the Code of Ethical Conduct and for promoting positive working relationships within the company, among all departments, and all external stakeholders. The Chaplain/Bereavement Coordinator is a hospice-trained individual who provides spiritual support to patients and the members of the family. S/he may be a priest, minister, rabbi, or other individual with experience in spiritual support. S/he is not intended to replace the patient's own clergy, but to provide spiritual support and help. Additionally, s/he is a hospice-trained interdisciplinary team member who oversees an organized program to ensure grief counseling for the bereaved. S/he is responsible to develop and deliver a program of bereavement support and counseling that is available to patients during their hospice care and to the bereaved family members of patients for at least one (1) year after the death of the patient.

Position Specific Responsibilities

Chaplain Responsibilities:

• Explains hospice services and Medicare benefits to patients and families; obtains Informed Consent and Election of Benefits documents as requested.

• Submits appropriate documentation and paperwork to facilities at the completion of patient visits; documentation is completed and submitted timely according to company policy.

• Articulates the regulatory framework governing the role of the Spiritual Counselor (federal and state, if applicable).

• Participates as a member of the IDT, including development and implementation of the plan of care.

• Provides spiritual care support to the patient and family; supports the involvement of community clergy as the patient/family request.

• Assists in identifying the need for intervention of other IDT members.

• Effectively communicates patient and family needs to IDT.

• Collaborates with IDT to coordinate spiritual care support for the patient and family to ensure appropriateness, continuity, and quality of care.

• Maintains updated, comprehensive care plans which reflect current problems, goals and interventions for patients.

• Maintains respect for the family's environment and belief systems, and remains nondiscriminatory regarding age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, and other personal matters.

• Counsels in accordance with patient's and family's beliefs.

• Supports the patient and family in working through the stages of death, grief, and bereavement.

• Acts as liaison with the clerical community to interpret the needs of the hospice patient and family, and helps recruit clerical volunteers for the hospice.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Bereavement Coordinator Responsibilities:

• Participates as a member of the IDT, including development and implementation of the plan of care.

• Works with the hospice Social Worker in the completion and analysis of the pre-bereavement risk assessment and care plan development for the patient and the family.

• Promotes and supports assessment of bereavement risk factors at admission and throughout the hospice patient's care.

• Develops and implements the bereavement plan of care after the death of the patient.

• Identifies the needs of non-family caregivers, including staff and residents at nursing facilities where the patient may have resided, and ensures bereavement support for them.

• Provides education about bereavement services to members of the IDT.

• Assists in identifying the need for intervention of other IDT members.

• Effectively communicates patient and family needs to IDT.

• Provides education about bereavement services to members of the IDT.

• Works collaboratively in a team environment to promote the values of hospice and of Compassus.

• Recognizes issues or concerns and escalates appropriately.

• Prepares reports, in-services, and other documents to demonstrate the value and effectiveness of the bereavement program as requested.

• Delivers high quality bereavement support, either with internal resources or through outreach to community resources when needed.

• Develops, organizes and delivers grief support groups either independently or in association with other grief support resources in the community.

• Maintains a resource library of materials appropriate to various bereaved individuals, including those with high-risk or disenfranchised grief - provides materials as part of routine bereavement contacts and upon request.

• Documents care and services provided according to state and/or federal requirements.

• Works with Volunteer Coordinator to identify opportunities for volunteers to participate in bereavement support activities.

• Assists in identifying the need for intervention of other IDT members.

• Effectively communicates patient and family needs to IDT.

• Provides education about bereavement services to members of the IDT.

• Recognizes issues or concerns and escalates appropriately.

• Prepares reports, in-services, and other documents to demonstrate the value and effectiveness of the bereavement program as requested.

• Attends and participates in community events, promoting Compassus and the universal need for grief and bereavement support.

• Develops and performs public service announcements regarding grief and bereavement.

• Promotes hospice philosophy.

• Provides bereavement counseling and support, based on personal qualifications, when needed.

• Develops and delivers memorial services for program patients.

• Develops and supports delivery of memorial services for patients of nursing facilities served by the program.

• Participates in funeral or other memorial services if requested by family.

• Works with all members of the hospice team to promote Compassus in the community.

• Leverages community events, professional contacts and volunteer network to promote Compassus and hospice.

• Operates within established budgetary guidelines.

• Manages expenses of bereavement program.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and/or Experience

• High school diploma or GED required.

• Bachelor's degree in Divinity, Social Sciences, or other related field preferred, unless required per state regulation.

• Completion of at least one (1) unit of CPE preferred, unless required per state regulation.

• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in the provision of spiritual/ pastoral support to individuals or families required.

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in the provision of grief, loss and/or bereavement support for individuals and families required.

• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in the provision of pastoral support to individuals/ families related to loss, grief, bereavement, or trauma preferred.

Skills

• Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentage.

• Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from leaders, team members, investors, and external parties. Strong written and verbal communications.

• Other Skills and Abilities: Ability to understand, read, write, and speak English. Articulates and embraces hospice philosophy. Strong organizational, interpersonal, and time management skills. Must be able to work a flexible schedule to include nights and weekends. Must be able to travel. Understanding and acceptance of hospice philosophy. Must be of high integrity including maintenance of confidential information including all patient records. Clinical experience or training related to death, dying, and bereavement. Must be able to provide grief counseling to families and others in need. Strong skills in counseling the terminally ill and his/her family. A positive, compassionate, and empathetic attitude. Ability to counsel patient and family and assist local clergy in rendering pastoral care.

State Specific Requirements

California

• Evidence of experience and/or education in dealing with issues of grief and loss.

Connecticut

• Evidence of experience or education in counseling individuals dealing with issues of grief and loss.

Florida

• Required to meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Has a degree in ministry from a college, university, or divinity school; or

• Has documentation of completing one (1) unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) with a focus on health care ministry; or

• Has documentation certifying completed formal training in his/her religious or belief system and is qualified to perform pastoral services

Georgia

• Documentation of ordination or commission by a recognized faith group; completed at least one (1) unit of clinical pastoral education from a nationally recognized provider. Licensed professional counselor (LPC) or Licensed social worker (LMSW, LCSW), or education/ experience specific to the counseling of individuals dealing with grief and loss.

Louisiana

• Required to meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Bachelor of Divinity, Master of Divinity or equivalent theological degree or training; or

• Equivalent training from an accredited university; or

• Equivalent experience with training/supervision in spiritual counseling from an individual who possesses required education

Mississippi

• Bachelor of Divinity, Master of Divinity or equivalent theological degree or training. In addition, bereavement coordinator minimum requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in psychology; or

• Bachelor's degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; or

• Bachelor's degree in counseling; or

• Evidence of equivalent of any of the above in education, plus training in the spiritual care of the dying and end of life issues

Missouri

• Completed education in counseling or related field such as mental health, psychology, addiction, comparative religions and spiritual practices, or thanatology (bachelor's degree preferred) required.

• Must complete additional training within 90 days of hire (provided by employer) to include death and dying, belief systems, spiritual assessment skills, and other areas of importance for the care of patients with terminal illnesses

New Hampshire

• Minimum requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in an applicable field such as theology of education, psychology, or counseling, AND

• Completed eight (8) additional hours in death, dying, grief, or bereavement

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The demands of this role necessitate a team member to effectively perform essential functions. Adaptations can be made to accommodate team members with disabilities. Regular standing, walking, and manual dexterity are fundamental, along with the ability to lift and move objects up to 50 pounds. Visual acuity requirements include close and distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. In a healthcare setting, exposure to bodily fluids, infectious diseases, and conditions typical to the field is expected. Routine use of standard medical equipment and tools associated with clinical care is essential. This description provides a general overview and may vary by role and department, capturing the nuanced demands and conditions inherent to clinical positions in our organization.

At Compassus, including all Compassus affiliates, diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our Pillars of Success. We are committed to creating a fair work environment where our team members feel welcomed, highly valued, and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.